However, he’s played nearly 800 fewer minutes in the league, having only made his second league start of the season in November.

That reduced game time means that Lingard has been directly involved in a league goal every 84 minutes so far this season, compared to the Croatian’s 131 minutes.

Rather than splashing out on a 28-year-old, Manchester United would be wiser keeping Lingard in the first team as he thrives under Mourinho.

“Each day you are learning and you can see from the manager about game-management and what he wants you to do on the pitch,” he said in the summer.

“Doing things in the right areas, that’s very key.”

And with his impressive record of being directly involved in a goal so often – the same so far as Raheem Sterling, whose performances have been hailed in Manchester City’s title charge – it is time for United to back him.

A move for Perisic – whether now or in the summer – would be a real blow to Lingard, who would rightly wonder what more he has to do at United to earn a regular first-team berth.

But Inter’s reluctant to sell could work in the United No14’s favour.

If he carries on the form he’s showing, there would be no need for Mourinho to continue chasing Perisic.

This service is provided by News Group Newspapers. The website is published by News Group Newspapers Limited (registered number 679215), being a wholly-owned subsidiary of News Corp UK & Ireland Limited (registered number 81701). Both companies registered in England with registered offices located at 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. The VAT number for the News UK Group is GB 243 8054 69.